Tyrese Haliburton Drops Career-High 47 in OT Thriller, Pacers Stun Lakers – Highlights, Stats & Fan Reactions

INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrese Haliburton’s rise from promising floor-general to certified closer reached new heights Thursday night when the 24-year-old buried a 21-foot pull-up with 0.3 seconds left, lifting the Indiana Pacers to a 111-110 comeback win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Fourth-quarter heroics • Indiana trailed by 15 with 9:42 remaining before ripping off a 32-15 closing burst. • Haliburton finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, but eight of his points came in the final five minutes. • The Pacers out-shot Oklahoma City 47.6 % to 39.8 % despite committing 25 turnovers. Why Haliburton’s shot matters 1. First Finals lead ever: Indiana had not led for a single second of the game until the game-winner splashed through. 2. Clutch résumé grows: The All-NBA guard already owned two buzzer-beaters this postseason; Thursday’s dagger is his third. 3. Momentum swing: Teams that win Game 1 of a best-of-seven NBA Finals go on to capture the championship 72 % of the time. Match-up spotlight • Pacers bench vs. Thunder length — Obi Toppin’s 17 points neutralized OKC’s size advantage. • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 38 points kept the Thunder afloat, but he shot 2-for-8 when defended by Haliburton in switches. • Rookie center Chet Holmgren managed just six points, a storyline to watch heading into Game 2. What they’re saying “Tyrese is unfazed by the moment. He asked for the ball, told us to space, and made history,” head coach Rick Carlisle said post-game. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault added, “We defended the set correctly; he just nailed a tough, contested jumper.” Road ahead • Game 2: Sunday, 8 p.m. ET at Paycom Center (ABC) • Series shifts to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4 next week. • Pacers are 9-1 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse this postseason. Search-friendly key phrases Tyrese Haliburton game-winning shot, Pacers vs Thunder Game 1, 2025 NBA Finals schedule, Indiana Pacers comeback, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 38 points. Quick stats at a glance Points in paint: OKC 54, IND 48 Fast-break points: IND 22, OKC 16 Rebounds: IND 53 (Siakam 10), OKC 49 Bottom line Haliburton’s latest clutch masterpiece not only stole home-court advantage but also pushed the Pacers two wins from their first NBA title. With the basketball world now zeroed in on Indiana’s unflappable star, expect search interest to keep surging as the Finals drama builds.